VN1 Command Vehicle version for RTA (photos : DTI)
Including with a room controls and the rear communication antenna for control and command panoramic surveillance camera, front left driver station and right front engine compartment including a 12.7-caliber QJC-88 heavy machine gun at the command station and including smoke grenade launcher 8 firing tubes.
The VN1 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle at the Defense Technology Institute DTI operates under the VN1 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle research and development project for the Royal Thai Army Cavalry, delivered at the Cavalry Center on May 5, 2022.
As part of the supply of VN1 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles, stage-1 38 vehicles, stage-2 34 vehicles and stage-3 39 vehicles, a total of 111 vehicles, including the commanding armored vehicle model, VE36 (Reconnaissance and Command Vehicle) 12 cars, enlisted in 10th Cavalry Battalion, 7th Cavalry Battalion and 12th Cavalry Battalion 2nd Cavalry Regiment 1st Cavalry Brigade to adjust the rate from reconnaissance cavalry to armored cavalry during the fiscal year 2019-2021.
The VN1 wheeled armored vehicle, the command version of which DTI Thai brought the vehicle with the engine, weapons and equipment produced by Norinco, a state-owned security industry enterprise of the People's Republic of China to install equipment systems in Thailand according to the needs of the Royal Thai Army Cavalry Center.
It can be seen that it shares the same basic structure as the VE36 command and reconnaissance vehicle in the VN1 family of armored vehicles, which is an export version based on the Chinese-owned Type 08 (ZBL-08) 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle.
VN1 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle has been inspected and tested at the Tha Muang testing ground in Kanchanaburi Province on August 19, 2021, which included a turning test, break test, moving through different levels of stairs, crossing a ditch, running in a pond, running on a rocky path, and running on a lattice, etc.
Pictures from DTI's assembly plant in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand also provide information that The VE36 (VN1) wheeled armored vehicle is equipped with a new-generation BMS: Battle Management System of Israeli company Elbit Systems according to the requirements of the Royal Thai Army Cavalry Center.
Defence Cooperation with Ukraine
Wheeled armored vehicles ACPC (Armoured Command Post Carrier) BTR-3CS 8x8 based on the Ukrainian BTR-3E1 wheeled armored vehicle for the Royal Thai Army Infantry Center, which is the first project of DTI Thailand to install the French Thales BMS Command Control System.
In addition to the BTR-3CS wheeled armored vehicles for the Thai Army Infantry is a wheeled armored vehicle that controls The BTR-4CS-T (BTR-4KSh-T) is based on the BTR-4U 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier for the Royal Thai Marine Corps. Another Thai Navy project indicating that it will be delivered in early December 2021.
Ukraine said that the Thai Marines showed interest in the BTR-4MV1 amphibious armored vehicle, but from the war with Russia that began in early 2022, the cooperation in armament between Thailand and Ukraine must be stopped.
(AAG)